Rochester Area Colleges

Rochester Area Colleges (RAC) is a consortium of higher education institutions in the Rochester, NY area. The group was formally incorporated in 1970, though similar partnerships did exist prior to the organization's founding. For over a decade, area colleges had worked to "strengthen and upgrade the quality of higher education" through planned activities and shared resources. RAC was created to facilitate the sharing of resources between area colleges and universities. A student at one member institution could take a course at another member institution without an increase to his or her tuition fees. Additionally, various social events and mixers were planned by the organization so that students could meet other students in the Rochester region. Other resources were shared between the area colleges as well. For instance, there was collaboration on career development opportunities and job placement services. Membership numbers for the consortium have fluctuated since its founding. Some of the organizations that have belonged to RAC at some point in time include: Alfred University, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Empire State College, Finger Lakes Community College, Genesee Community College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Keuka College, Monroe Community College, Nazareth College, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, and University of Rochester.